How Can I Change the Password of My Real-Time Target?

Updated Oct 30, 2024

Reported In

Hardware

  • CompactRIO Controller
  • PXI Controller

Operating System

  • Linux

Issue Details

I am in a situation where I do not have access to NI Software, like NI MAX, but I need to change the Password of my cRIO/PXI. How can I do that?

Solution

In order to change the password of your Real-Time target, you will first have to establish an SSH session through an application like PuTTY or OpenSSH.
For more information on how to establish an SSH connection to your target, please refer to this Knowledge Article: 

Accessing the Shell on NI Linux Real-Time Devices

After you have established an SSH connection to your target, you need to enter the following command:

passwd

You will be asked to enter your existing password, followed by the new password. By default, Linux will hide the characters you are entering. Do not be concerned, as they are still being registered, even if you do not see anything written on your screen.
In case you were not using a password before, you can simply press enter on the first step, as there is no password by default for the admin user.

Additional Information

If you are unable to connect through SSH to your Target, it might be because you have disabled the SSH functionality to your device.
Please make sure that the "Enable Secure Shell Server (sshd)" option in NI MAX is not disabled. (The functionality to change this setting has been removed in later versions of NI Linux Real-Time)
In the case that it is disabled and that you do not have access to NI MAX, you will have to establish a connection through the Serial Interface.

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